Other than a genetic disease which makes it physically impossible to do exercise, I believe that it is more likely environmental in a psychological way. Parents always lazing around? Why wouldn't the kids? After all it takes quite a bit of effort to exercise.

I fight back by remembering that if I continue to take the easier route, I may not be around for my wife and kids. I have seen the cycle and still repeat it somtimes where exercising feels to difficult and so instead I eat, double bad! Then I feel bad about being fatter than I was and so I am depressed and eat more. I recognize the cycle and I mentally slap myself across the face and just do it.

Also, I took a class where exercise is necessary to "compete" and it provides a constant motivation each week to continue with a positive lifestyle. I'm sure it's different for each person, but those are my two big motivations.

Actually, if you read the studies, it shows that the environmental part is about 50%. I'm not sure that the authors were saying that all of your laziness is due to genetics - just a part. There's also some interesting work out of the Netherlands that show that the genetic component changes as one gets older - it jumps to about 80% at age 18 from negligble at earlier ages...so, yep, parents are involved in many ways!

I have a 16 year old son that constantly battles me about doing exercise and some household chores. I could ask him ten times and it isn't until I lose my temper that he actually gets up and exercises or does his chores. I, myself, exercise every day. I power walk after work for an hour, 6 days a week. His aunts, my sisters, do too. So it's not a matter of setting an example. Is it a teenage thing?

I have a 16 year old son that constantly battles me about doing exercise and some household chores. I could ask him ten times and it isn't until I lose my temper that he actually gets up and exercises or does his chores. I, myself, exercise every day. I power walk after work for an hour, 6 days a week. His aunts, my sisters, do too. So it's not a matter of setting an example. Is it a teenage thing?

I just wanted to say that I agree with JB it is not genetic it is environmental. I think it is funny how now people are going to watch this and start blaming their parents because they are lazy. My parents were not active and my siblings were, so how is that possible? Does it skip generation? I believe that all these diet pills and now exercise pills is just a way to get people to believe that all you have to do is take a pill and you will loose weight.

I agree with Brandy on this, I can just see the ads popping up more now than ever, from companies claiming they have 'the' pill ... this is just so sad, when will people step up and take responsibility for their health and fitness rather than blaming a gene... and now taking a pill.

I think it's both environmental and genetic. I personally would rather watch paint dry than exercise. I don't enjoy it at all as some people do. So there is definitely at least a personality trait preference for or against enjoying exercise. I also feel that if I change my environment it would help me to work more exercise into my schedule. Again I definitely think there is validity to the genetic theroy but it's not the entire answer.

Yeah the paint drying would interest me more too.

I took a look at my overweight office mates and the fact that suddenly, some of them didn't come in for work... Oh, so-and-so is in the hospital for a stint, heart problems.

Geez, I looked at myself being overweight and desk-bound and decided to EVOLVE into someone else.

I am now fit, healthy, I exercise 4-5 times a week and not just walking but hard, hi-rate exercise. A workout combination of cardio and weights (alternating weight days).

I will forevermore be THAT person, not a fat desk jockey who's bound for a surprise hospital bed because he "couldn't find the time" to exercise.

It's a decision to make, not a gene, for crying out loud.

I think it's more environmental than anything else; the fact that we learn by example. We also end up making our own decisions in life!
This laziness gene sounds like a cop-out to me. People need to get off their buts and just do it! Go for a walk, do some stretches or jumping jacks if you can't leave the house. Try & develop some good habits and keep it up!

Every days I hear my genes not to excersise at all is really awful, but they tell me being with my partner and eating delicious food, reading and going to the cinema, the only thing my genes let me do is dancing that's wonderful

I am a very active person but I can't seem to lose weight. My wife stays on me all the time about my weight (310 lbs). I am a farmer and eat breakfast early and supper late and somedays I dont stop to eat lunch. The Doctors think its a gene thing. I need knee replacement surgery but my Cardiologist is against having that done till I lose weight. I stay away from breads and eat lots of salads. Could it be in the gene's

I have no motivation what so ever and do not know how to get it, when it comes to exercising. The food that I eat is my companion and I do not know how to stop eating food for comfort. How does one go on a diet when all the healthy food is expensive and therefore hard to purchase. I cannot afford organic food or fresh fruit or vegetables at todays high prices and with the budget that I am on???? What do I do???? I need help but I do not know where to find it. Please help me??

Grow your own. You should plant your garden and grow your own vegetables and plant your fruit bushes and trees, since we now know that store bought vegetables and fruits are sprayed with chemicals and could be poison to your body. Learn to can and freeze your own, which is actually more economical and better for your health. What have you got to lose?

Well done David, August 13, if all of us did what you have done, we would be all fit an healthy. I believe you have to convince yourself, I am so going to be a healthier, fitter and better person if one does what you have done, I know as I have done it too.